Diarrhea is the excessive and frequent evacuation of watery feces and is commonly reported in those patients with Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disorder, and other disease caused by infections of the gastrointestinal tract. The gastrointestinal tract contains so many bacteria that some researchers have argued (unconvincingly) that the gut is the only place that the body contains bacteria.
Symptoms of diarrhea could be due to immunopathologyA temporary increase in disease symptoms experienced by Marshall Protocol patients that results from the release of cytokines and endotoxins as disease-causing bacteria are killed., that is, bacterial die-off. Or, it could be exacerbated by:
Marshall ProtocolA curative medical treatment for chronic inflammatory disease. Based on the Marshall Pathogenesis. (MP) patients who have routine diarrhea should be receptive to how even small amounts of light exposure can contribute to a flare in symptoms.
Evolutionary biologist Paul Ewald has suggested that at least some cases of diarrhea endow pathogens with an evolutionary advantage, allowing them to persist and infect others.
Although diarrhea can be a serious concern while on the MP, there are various stages of elimination that are not really true diarrhea (which does quickly lead to dehydration, if continuous). Many have experienced these various stages which include a frequent “loose stool” or even a nearly liquid stool that is not at all “watery” as is described in true diarrhea.
The reason that this clarification is important is that it is possible to have a very loose stool, or even the nearly liquid stool described above while a patient is in the early stages of the MP due to a higher microbial load and a strong immunopathological reactionA temporary increase in disease symptoms experiences by Marshall Protocol patients that results from the release of cytokines and endotoxins as disease-causing bacteria are killed.. Any additional stimulation, including too much light exposure can cause it. Provided patients are drinking plenty of water and paying attention that this symptom doesn't turn into a watery diarrhea, they should be OK. Patients who have a frequent near-liquid stool should be reluctant to increase antibiotics or activity levels.
There are a number of generic strategies for managing immunopathology. The following measures, particular to diarrhea may also be helpful:
Physicians should be aware that when diarrhea is caused by Clostridium difficile, Lomotil or Imodium are not used for managing diarrhea. C. difficile is an infection usually acquired in a hospital setting following standard dosing of broad-spectrum, macrolide antibiotics. The MP antibiotics are not known to cause C. difficile.
Findings suggest that neither olmesartanMedication taken regularly by patients on the Marshall Protocol for its ability to activate the Vitamin D Receptor. Also known by the trade name Benicar. nor other ARBs were associated with diarrhea among patients undergoing endoscopy. The spruelike enteropathy recently associated with olmesartan is likely a rare adverse effect and milder presentations are unlikely. 1)
In a methotrexate-induced model of intestinal mucositis, olmesartan reduced inflammationThe complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli such as pathogens or damaged cells. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue. and induced enteropathy characterized by severe diarrhea, weight loss, and reduced sucrose activity. 2)
Main article: Probiotics
Some patients have reported symptom palliation from probiotics. Unless immunopathology is intolerable, patients on the MP should avoid probiotics as their palliative effect seems to come from overloading and distracting the innate immune system in the GI tract.
[While on the MP]… the old irritable bowel syndrome and colitis symptoms came back and were quite intense, with bouts of diarrhea. In fact, different parts of my body reacted with more intense symptoms followed by relief of symptoms. Usually worse before better. Other symptoms that flared but then went away were a burning feeling in my tongue and also an increase in discomfort in my jawbone around my teeth.
At times the immunopathology made me feel weak and fragile, and during those periods sometimes I did wonder, “Will I ever get over this?” Worse than dealing with the pain was the fact that when I felt weak, I hated to view myself as an old, chronically ill lady. But as I killed enough of the bacteria causing my symptoms I got my drive back. I turned a corner and now those images of weakness and disease have dissipated.
Melinda Stiles,
First a spot about sandwich plate size on the lower outside part of my right thigh began to itch deep in the muscle.
Second my finger nails began to get soft and split.
Third I began to have weak hip muscle problems while Square Dancing. For several years I had been able to dance for 20 minutes straight with no problems. Then about 10 minutes into the dance my hip muscles just did not want to work. They didn't hurt, just didn't want to contract and relax like muscles normally do.
Fourth I began to have diarrhea every other Thursday.
I am posting this because I am in hopes that members will be able to know the symptoms of malabsorption and adjust their medications as needed.
JB
